Treatment of tobacco and similar materials



May 21, 1935. s. D. HARRIS TREATMENT OF TOBACCO AND SIMiLAR MATERI ALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, I929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. D. HARRIS Filed Nov. 2, 1929 TREATMENT OF TOBACCO AND SIMILAR MATERIALS May 21, 1935.

Patented May 21, 1935 PATENT OFFICE,

TREATMENT OF TOBACCO AND SIMILAR MATERIALS Gordon D. Harris, Sound Beach, Conn., assignor to The Industrial Dryer Corporation, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application November 2, 1929, Serial No. 404,388

3 Claims.

This invention relates in general to the conditioning of materials and more particularly has reference to a process and apparatus for conditioning tobacco and similar materials with a con- 5 ditioning gas while the material is subjected to agitation.

Tobacco, when dry, is crisp and brittle and, consequently, cannot be worked without danger of breaking the leaf. Tobacco leaves for use as wrappers for cigars must be unbroken and yet 'must be manipulated many times prior to being assembledon a cigar. It is essential, therefore, that the tobacco be treated so that the leaves will assimilate moisture sufllcient to render the same pliable, in, order that the leaves may be handled.

The most successful processes for changing the. physical characteristics of tobacco from a dry condition, wherein theleaves may be easily broken, to a pliable and flexible condition, in which it is susceptible of handling without risk of fracture, are those in which the hands of dry tobacco are subjected to conditioned air. The condition of the air is modified during the treatment to insure the permeation of moisture throughout all parts 'of the leaves, including the stem, the blade or lamina, and the. petiole'co'nnecting the blade with the stern. -'Tobacco treated in accordance with this process is of high commercial value.

The leaves of tobacco, when packed for shipment, become dry and entangled'and, because of the dry, brittle condition of'the tobacco, cannot .be shaken out or separated without danger to the leaves. It will be appreciated that the treatment necessitates the handling of the hands of tobacco severaltirnes before all of the leaves of the hands are in proper condition. As is well known, any additional steps in the commercial process necessitating the handling of. the material tend to increase the cost of the production of the material.

The present invention contemplates improvements in the processes in which a conditioned gas is passed over tobacco or similar materials to be treated.

An object of this invention is to devise an improved method and apparatus for treating tobacco and other materials which avoids the disadvantages heretofore encountered.

Another object of this invention is to devise a method and apparatus for treating tobacco and similar materials with conditioned gas and agitating the leaves of the tobacco while being so treated.

Yet another object of this invention is to devise a method and apparatus for treating tobacco and similar materials with a conditioned gas in which the gas is saturated with moisture by diffusing vapor arising from said water into the same and in which the tobacco is agitated while being subjected to the conditioned gas, the agitation being postponed until suflicient moisture has been absorbed to prevent fracture.

- Still another object of this invention is to devise an apparatus for treating tobacco and a. means for suspending the tobacco in the treating apparatus and agitating it while being subjected to treatment.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for treating tobacco and similar materials in which a gas is conditioned and circulated through a chamber adapted to contain a materialto be treated, and which is provided with a plurality of supporting rods mounted so as to agitate the material suspended therefrom. With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the method steps and parts and-combinations of apparatus to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several essential features of my invention may be varied to meet operating conditions without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

' The present invention contemplates conditioning material by circulating a gas, such as air, substantially saturated with water vapor, and subjecting material to be treated to the so-conditioned gas. This invention also contemplates agitating material while being treated to insure thorough assimilation of the moisture in all parts of the material. In carrying out the invention, a treating apparatus is provided, whichis divided into a products chamber surrounded by air conditioning chambers. The partitions forming the upper and lower walls of the products chamber are provided with a plurality of slots or other apertures, through which the treating gas is passed in circulating from the conditioning chambers into the products chamber. Tank structures may be provided in the conditioning chambers directly above the upper portion of the products chamber and beneath the products chamber. These tank structures are provided with means for heating water contained therein to a temperature sufilcient to generate vapors, which are diffused into the conditioning gas.

Suitable fans or blowers are provided for circulating air or other gas over the tanks in the conditioning chambers and through the slotted 65 chambers 5 and 6 beneath partition ll compartitions into the products chamber. If found necessary, the temperature of the air may be reduced by means of suitable cooling coils or other heat exchange structures positioned in the conditioning chambers. When air or other gas used as a conditioning medium leaves the products chamber, it is subjected to the vapors rising from one of the tanks and is then further treated so that the gas re-entering the products chamber will be at the desired temperature to properly treat material.

The material to be treated is generally supported in the products chamber bymeans of rods or sticks which are mounted in suitable bearings carried by the walls of the'products chamber. These sticks are provided with crank arms, which in turn are connected to a connecting rod so that by moving the connecting rod, all of the material-carrying sticks will be partially rotated. The connecting rods may be connected by suitable linkage with a source of power suitable for imparting reciprocal motion to the connecting rods. With this structure, it will be appreciated that the material carried by the sticks will be suiflciently agitated to insure proper circulation of moisture to all parts of the material.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown. in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a material-conditioning apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional detailed view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the manner in which the material-carrying sticks are journaled in the walls of the treating apparatus.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the treating apparatus showing the construction of the conditioning and products chamber.

In the drawings, there is shown an apparatus l for conditioning tobacco or other materials requiring similar treatment. This apparatus is divided by walls or partitions into a treating or products chamber 2 and air-conditioning chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 and I. The vertical partitions or walls 8 and 9 separate chamber 2 from the side conditioning chambers or ducts 4 and 1, respec tively, and horizontal partitions l and II separate chamber 2 from the upper and lower conditioning chambers. Chamber 5 is in open communication with the side chamber or duct 4, and the lower chamber 6 is in open communication with the side chamber 1. Side chambers 4 and 1 communicate with the upper conditioning chamber 3 through openings, in which are positioned fans l2, driven by electric motors l3 or other suitable sources of power. The upper conditioning chamber communicates with the products chamber 2 through slots in the' partition I0, and

municate with chamber 2 through similar slots in partition H.

In order to secure an even distribution of air through the products chamber 2, slots l4 in the walls or partitions l0 and II are provided with adjustable closure members I 5, which may be actuated to vary the size of the slot openings. It has been found that the size of the of the slot openings can be so regulated that air will flow through the products chamber in well-defined streams with practically no intermixing of the streams. This is very desirable since, when the air flows in well-defined streams without any cross circuiting, proper treatment of all of the materials will be effected.

Slots l4 in the upper partition II) are fitted with tube-like members IS, with which are associated drip guarddeflectors H. The tubelike members l6 extend a predetermined distance above the partition in and cooperate with the partition I 0 and walls 8 and 9 to form tank structures in which are contained bodies of water Hi. The drip guard deflectors I! extend above the tubes l6 varying distances, as is clearly shown inthe drawings. These deflectors prevent any moisture which condenses on the upper wall IQ of the treating apparatus from dripping through the slots l4 onto the material contained in the products chamber 2.

The tank structures afforded by the several partitions 8, 9 and I0 and the tube structures iii are provided with suitable overflow conduits 20, which serve toprevent water contained in the tanks from exceeding a predetermined level. Submerged in the bodies of water l8 are suitable heating elements. Water is supplied to the tanks above the slotted partition ID by means of suitable supply conduits, (not shown), which preferably are fitted with valves controlled by automatic regulating devices, such as floats, positioned in the tank structures hereinbefore described. With the construction just described,

' it will be appreciated that the water within the tank structure will be maintained at a substantially constant level, regardless of the quantity of water evaporated therefrom by the heating elements.

Chambers or ducts 5 and 6 beneath partition II are separated by the partition or separating wall 22. Each of these chambers is provided with a tank adapted to contain a body of water 23, which is prevented from exceeding a predetermined level by means of the overflow conduits 24. The bodies of water 23 are heated by means of heating elements 25, which are in the form of coils, through which are circulated hot fluids, or elements through which electric current is passed. Water is supplied to the lower tank structures by suitable supply conduits provided with automatically controlled valves for maintaining a predetermined level of water within the tanks.

It will be appreciated that after the vapors arising from the bodies of water difiuse into the air, the temperature of the air will be increased; also, if the outside or room temperature is high, the same effect will be produced. In order to cool the air so that it will be at the proper temperature for treating the material in the products chamber, there are provided suitable cooling coils 26 in the side conditioning chambers 4 and 1. Water or other cooling media may be supplied to these coils through suitable conduits, (not shown), which are equipped with regulating valves.- If desired, thermostatic control means may be provided in the products chamber 2, by means of which the valves positioned in the cool fluid supply conduits may be actuated. With such construction, the temperature of the air within the products chamber 2 can be automatically maintained at a predetermined value. The thermostatic means may also control the heating of the upper and lower water tank structures.

chamber in one direction of flow, will be drawn down through slots M in partition ll over the bodies of water 23. These bodies of water may be heated at a constant rate or at a varying rate,'dependent upon the manner in which the structure is to. be operated. Vapors generated by heating the bodies of water 23 arise and diffuse into the air which flows through ducts 5 and 6.

Mixtures of air and vapors flow up through ducts 4 and 1 over the cooling coils 26. The temperature of the cooling coils is maintained by a thermostat within the products chamber or some other location, so that the air flowing over the coils will be at such a temperature that, after further treatment, it will be at the temperature desired for the products chamber. The tempered air from the ducts l and 4, which is substantially saturated with moisture, is then drawn upwardly by the fans l2 and is forced into chamber 3, where it meets with vapors arising from the bodies of water l8. Vapors arising from the bodies of water I3'will diffuse into the air in the chamber 3 to further humidify the same. After this treatment, the air will be at substantially saturation. The treated air will then flow down through the slots I4 over the tobacco or other material to be treated.

The temperature of the conditioning air may, of course, be regulated by controlling the temperature of the cooling coils and the temperature of the water in the tanks.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the size of the slots l4 may be regulated by adjusting closures l5 so that air will flow through the products chamber 2 in well-defined streams, so that material 'in all portions of the chamber will receive the proper treatment.

In accordance with the present invention, tobacco or other material while undergoing treatment, is gently agitated or shaken. The shaking may be effected in any desired manner and by any means suitable for the purpose. I have found, however, that a shaking or agitating mechanism such as is shown in the drawings is very effective for the purpose.

Tobacco or other material to be treated is positioned in the material treating chamber 3 by arranging the hands of tobacco on the tobacco supporting sticks 21. These sticks extend through the walls of the treating chamber and are so associated with the walls that they may be rotated or oscillated while the tobacco is being treated in order to agitate the leaves. As is clearly shown in Figure 2, the tobacco carrying sticks 21 are provided on one end with a crank fitting 28 which has a reduced portion extending through the wall 29 of the treating chamber. The reduced portion of the fitting 28 serves as a bearing surface so as to eliminate any wear on the tobacco carrying sticks 21. The wall 29 of the treating chamber is fitted with a bushing 30 through which extend the tobacco carrying sticks and its surrounding fitting 28 in proper relation relative to the wall 29. A collar 3| or other suitable means may be associated with the reduced portion of the fitting 28.

In the several figures of the drawings, a plurality of the tobacco carrying sticks are shown. These sticks are arranged in tiers, and each tier is spaced apart a distance to allow free movement of the hands of tobacco suspended from the sticks without interference from an adjacent tier. In the drawings, a casing machine provided with three tiers of tobacco carrying sticks has been shown. I wish it to be clearly understood, however, that any desirable number of tiers may be arranged within a casing machine as found desirable. Of course, the casing machine may be varied in size in order to accommodate a greater number of tiers of tobacco carrying sticks.

In order to impart an oscillating motion to the tobacco carrying sticks so that the tobacco supported thereby may be agitated, each of the crank portions of the fittings 28 fixed to the ends of the sticks 21 is pivotally connected to a connecting link 32 by means of a pin 33 or any other suitable connecting mechanism.

It will be noted that all of the tobacco carrying sticks in each tierare connected with one connecting link. Each of the connecting links 32 is pivotally connected to a bell crank 34 which is operatively mounted on the wall 29 of the tobacco treating device. The other arm of each of the bell cranks 34 is pivotally connected to a link 35 which is positioned at right angles to the con-- necting links 32. It will be appreciated that if a vertical reciprocating motion is imparted to the links 35, a similar motion will be transmitted to the horizontally arranged connecting links 32, and in turn an oscillating motion will be imparted to the tobacco carrying sticks 21.

For purposes of illustration, I have shown an arrangement whereby the necessary motion may be applied to the link 35. As is clearly shown in the drawings, the link 35 is connected by means of a suitable connecting rod 36 with a pin 31 eccentrically mounted upon a disc 38. The disc 38 is rotated by means of an electric motor'39 or any other suitable source of power connected either directly with the disc 38, or through reduction gearing of a ratio to impart the desired operating speed to the disc 38. When the disc 33 is set in motion by its power source, reciprocating motion is transmitted to the link 35 and in turn, the tobacco carrying sticks are oscillated.

While I have shown a specific mechanism for imparting oscillatory motion to tobacco carrying sticks, I wish it to be clearly understood that the present invention contemplates the use of any type of mechanical device which is susceptible of operation to impart the necessary oscillating or rocking motion to thetobacco carrying sticks.

In carrying out the method of the present invention, the hands of tobacco as taken from the bales in which they are shipped, are positioned or attached to the tobacco carrying sticks in the desired spaced relation. The sticks 21 may be fixed to the casing apparatus or may be detachably connected therewith. For instance, as shown in the drawings, the sticks which are square in cross-section at the end portion received in the fitting 23 may be either fixed to the fitting 28 or detachably inserted therein. After the sticks 21 are loaded, the mechanism may be operated for imparting the necessary motion to the tobacco carrying sticks. However, in some instances, it may be found that the tobacco leaves will be fractured because they are too dry. In such an instance, the rocking mechanism is not placed in operation until after a suflicient amount of moisture has been assimilated by the leaves to prevent injury to them.

After the tobacco leaves have been subjected to the conditioning atmosphere circulated through the casing machine for a sufiicient length of time to prevent breakage of the leaves, the mechanism may be operated to impart the oscillating motion to the tobacco carrying sticks 21. By agitating the tobacco by oscillating the sticks 21, all parts of each hand of tobacco will be properly separated, and the tobacco after being subjected to this treatment for sufficient length of time will be in condition so that it may be easily worked without danger of loss.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has provided a method and apparatus whereby tobacco may be treated to place it in a condition so that it may be worked without being broken.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a treating apparatus a tobacco conditioning chamber a plurality of tobacco-carrying sticks rockably mounted in the walls thereof, means for agitating said sticks to agitate the tobacco carried thereby and means adjacent the tobacco-conditioning chamber for conditioning a gas and means for circulating the gas through the conditioning chamber and the chamber containing tobacco. I

2. A tobacco treating apparatus comprising a conditioning chamber, a plurality of tobaccocarrying sticks extending through said chamber, said sticks being rockably mounted in said chamber, each of said sticks being provided with a crank arm attached thereto and oscillating means connected with said crank arm for agitating tobacco carried by said sticks. g

3. A tobacco-conditioning apparatus comprising a tobacco-treating chamber and a gas conditioning chamber, means for circulating a gas through said chambers, a plurality of tobaccocarrying members rotatably mounted in said tobacco-treating chamber, a crank mounted on each of said tobacco-carrying members, an oscillating rod connected to each of said cranks'and linkage for connecting said rods with a source of reciprocating motion.

' GORDON D. HARRIS. 

